Texas Rangers Blog

Texas Rangers return Ross to bullpen

The Rangers gave up on the experiment of left-hander Robbie Ross as a starter and returned him to the bullpen.

“I would have liked to have been a starter, but now is not the time,” Ross said. “I just don’t want them to think I don’t want to be there.”

Ross was plagued by high pitch counts all spring. In his last two starts, Ross threw 135 pitches in 52/3 innings. There was some concern within the Rangers that in trying to expand his repertoire to be a starter, Ross was losing command of his best pitch: the cut fastball.

The Rangers also determined there was more need for Ross in the bullpen. In 58 relief appearances last season, Ross was 6-0 with a 2.22 ERA for 65 innings and nine “holds,” preserved save chances.

“We look at the makeup of our bullpen and feel Robbie did a good job there,” Washington said. “He was still in the process of trying to find the comfort to be a starter. We’re at the time now when we need to get him going for the bullpen.”

Washington said left-hander Michael Kirkman will also be in the season-opening bullpen. Rookie Joe Ortiz could give the Rangers three left-handed relievers.

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